CHAD JOHANSEN GM & HEAD GOLF PROFESSIONAL at Blackberry Oaks Golf Course in Bristol IL. welcomes all golfers out to “The Oaks” home of 18 holes and the new Oaks Grille. So for more on Blackberry Oaks-visit blackberryoaks.com or call the course at (630)-553-7170. MISTWOOD GOLF CLUB on Renwick Road in Romeoville is in full swing for the outdoor golf season ahead. So stop in for golf, great food and drinks in McWethy’s. But Mistwood not only has great golf, but it’s a great place for lessons, club fittings and shopping in the golf shop. See Mistwoodgc.com or (815)-254-3333.

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter-X @GogBlogGuy or connect on LinkedIn/Facebook/IGram

THE 124th U.S. Open at Pinehurst.

As the week concludes in Dublin Ohio at Jack Nicklaus’ Muirfield Village, the players are already thinking ahead to Pinehurst, and the third major of the year.

Because anytime you take the U.S. Open to “The Home of American Golf”, golfers are in for an amazing week of championship caliber play.

Martin Kaymer last won the last U.S. Open played in Pinehurst in 2014. Michael Campbell won in 2005 and of course the late Payne Stewart in 1999. So you can watch the coverage on television all week long, or visit USGA.org.

FOUR PLAYERS are tied for the lead heading into todays final round at LIV Golf Houston.

They are Carlos Ortiz, Adrian Meronk, Paul Casey and David Puig.

But on the team side, it’s the Fireballs (Puig) with a four shot lead over Torque’s (Ortiz).

But lurking just one shot back, is Patrick Reed, who is getting plenty of support from his hometown Houston fans.

While some reports have suggested there was almost no gallery present in warm sunny Houston. But pictures tell another story, as golf fans are getting in the spirit of U.S. Open week starting tomorrow. But for more information see LIVGolf.com.

HEADED HOME EARLY or just to Pinehurst. Because they missed the cut at the Memorial, Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler and Wyndham Clark are at Pinehurst a little earlier than planned. All three golfers are expected to play a practice round later today.

2023 Illinois State Amateur Champion Sarah Arnold of Long Grove, returns to defend her title, at the Grove Country Club in Long Grove IL., Monday through Wednesday of this week.

Arnold a recent graduate of Western Kentucky University, heads up a field of 63 players.

This year match play is gone from the event, and a 54 hole stroke play format is now the championships way of play.

So after 36 holes the field will be cut to the low-20 players and ties. The final found will now be Wednesday in a 3-day format-that was previously four days. Because the IWGA has closed it’s doors after 90 years, the Chicago District Golf Association (CDGA) is now running the championship.

But once again this year, the winner receives and exemption into the U.S. Women’s Amateur at Southern Hills CC, in Tulsa August 5-11.

THE 22ND CDGA SENIOR AMATEUR in now in the books as Brad Kay of Arlington Hts. (Ivanhoe Club) defeated Mark Small of Frankfort and Prestwick Club 3 & 2, in the championship match at Kishwaukee Country Club. But for more details visit CDGA.org.

MYRTLE BEACH South Carolina came out a big winner, in the Golfweek Magazine’s ranking of the Top 20 courses you can play, in the state of South Carolina. So leading the way was the Caledonia Golf and Fish Club at #3, in Pawley’s Island SC. (south Myrtle Beach area). But for the full rankings that included 13 of the Top 20 in the Myrtle Beach area-visit Golfweek.com.

SUPERSTROKE the leader in grips and putting grips, has announced that Cameron McCormick a leading national instructor (Jordan Spieth), has joined SuperStroke as a company ambassador. So for more details see Superstroke/USA.com.

BETTINARDI GOLF

NO longer just putters to choose from. Because now there is wedges AND irons.

BUT IN HONOR OF FATHERS DAY, Bettinardi Golf is announcing a Queen B-14 remix.

But if your still undecided, how about a Bettinardi Golf gift card, for dad or another golfer in your group.

So learn more, and schedule your putter fitting at Bettinardi.com.

THE WESTERN GOLF ASSOCIATION (WGA) has announced that tickets are now sale for this years NV5 invitational at the Glen Club in Glenview-from July 22-28.

Golf fans can now purchase tickets at Nv5inivtational.com/tickets.

So you can purchase general admission tickets, or upgraded experiences in the Trophy Club, complete with a beer garden on the par-3 17th hole. Kids 15 and under are complimentary for grounds admission tickets.

“We say that the Korn Ferry Tour is where future PGA Tour stars prove themselves, and our champions have lived up that,” said Vince Pellegrino WGA senior vice president of tournaments. “We can’t wait to welcome Chicagoland’s incredible golf fans back to the Glen Club. This years NV5 Invitational promises to be another exciting week of golf.”

LAST YEAR Trace Crowe now on the PGA Tour, survived a playoff with Patrick Fishburn to win the title. But the winner of the tournament first played in 2019, was current Masters Champion Scottie Scheffler. Scheffler also won the tournament in a playoff settled on the 18th green.

Proceeds from the tournament benefit the Evans Scholars Foundation, that awards scholarships to deserving caddies to attend college. Details at WGAESF.org

COG HILL GOLF will hold a fitting day on Friday June 14th from 12 to 4p at the Cog Hill fitting center. But you must register in advance at Coghillgolf.com or call Cog Hill at (866)-COG-HILL.

LAB GOLF PUTTERS

YES the announcement you have been waiting for.

Because the new DF3 Broomstick and Arm Lock build putters are finally here.

So you have been patient and now you have been rewarded.

Plenty of colors to choose from.

So learn more about the new putter head’s the weight increase compensate for the size of the putters. So see all the specs at LABGolf.com.

The Gog Blog returns tomorrow. RS